Understanding STGO: A Beginner's Guide to Heavy Goods Vehicles

Zed Aziz 

3rd Aug 2024

When you see massive lorries hauling oversized loads on the motorway, you might wonder how these enormous vehicles are regulated. One of the key regulations is the Special Types General Order (STGO), which is crucial for the safe and efficient transport of heavy and abnormal loads. In this post, we'll break down what STGO means and how it applies to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

What is STGO?

STGO stands for Special Types General Order. It is a legal framework in the UK that governs the movement of heavy and oversized loads on public roads. These loads are often too large or too heavy to be transported under standard regulations, requiring specific permissions and safety measures. The details of STGO regulations can be found in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, specifically under the Special Types General Order 2003.

Why is STGO Important?

Transporting heavy and oversized loads presents unique challenges. Roads, bridges, and other infrastructure must be able to handle the extra weight and size. Without proper regulations, these transports could damage infrastructure, pose safety risks to other road users, and disrupt traffic. STGO ensures that these movements are carried out safely and with minimal impact on the public.

Detailed Breakdown of STGO Categories

STGO is divided into three main categories based on the weight of the load:

STGO Category 1

Weight Limit: Up to 50,000 kg (50 tonnes)

Key Requirements:

1. Vehicle Axles: Vehicles in this category must have a sufficient number of axles to distribute the weight of the load appropriately. Generally, the more axles, the better the weight distribution, reducing the strain on roads and bridges.

2. Permits and Notifications: Operators must notify the relevant authorities, such as local police and highway agencies, of their planned route. This is to ensure that the route can accommodate the vehicle and load, and to arrange any necessary traffic management.

3. Speed Limits: The maximum speed for Category 1 vehicles is generally 40 mph on motorways and 30 mph on all other roads. These limits are in place to ensure safety given the increased stopping distances and handling challenges of heavy vehicles.

4. Escort Vehicles: For some routes or particularly challenging segments, an escort vehicle may be required. The escort vehicle helps manage traffic, warn other road users, and ensure safe passage.

5. Vehicle Markings and Lighting: Category 1 vehicles must be clearly marked to alert other road users of their presence and size. This includes special signs, reflective markers, and additional lighting if necessary.

6. Driver Training: Drivers must be specially trained and certified to handle the complexities of driving with heavy and oversized loads.

Examples of Loads:

• Large construction machinery

• Agricultural equipment

STGO Category 2

Weight Limit: Up to 80,000 kg (80 tonnes)

Key Requirements:

1. Vehicle Specifications: Like Category 1, but with more stringent requirements for reinforced axles and tyres. These vehicles often require more sophisticated suspension systems to handle the increased weight.

2. Route Approval: More detailed route planning is required. Operators may need to liaise with multiple local authorities to ensure that the route can support the vehicle's weight and dimensions.

3. Speed Limits: Generally, the maximum speed for Category 2 vehicles is 30 mph on motorways and 20 mph on all other roads. This reduction in speed helps ensure safety given the increased load.

4. Notifications and Permits: Operators must obtain specific permits for the transport. This often involves a detailed assessment of the vehicle and load by the authorities.

5. Escort Vehicles: Usually required, especially in urban areas or on narrow, winding roads. The number and positioning of escort vehicles depend on the load size and route complexity.

6. Bridge Assessments: Specific assessments may be needed for bridges on the route to ensure they can handle the load without risk of damage.

7. Environmental Considerations: In some cases, environmental impact assessments may be required, especially if the route passes through sensitive areas.

Examples of Loads:

• Heavy industrial equipment

• Large prefabricated structures

STGO Category 3

Weight Limit: Up to 150,000 kg (150 tonnes)

Key Requirements:

1. Vehicle Engineering: These vehicles are highly specialised, often custom-built for the specific load. They have advanced suspension systems and numerous axles to distribute the weight.

2. Route Surveys: Detailed surveys and route assessments are mandatory. This includes checking the structural integrity of bridges, road surfaces, and any potential obstructions like overhanging cables.

3. Speed Limits: The maximum speed for Category 3 vehicles is generally 25 mph on motorways and 20 mph on all other roads. Due to the extreme weight, these vehicles have much longer stopping distances.

4. Permits and Notifications: Extensive planning and multiple permits are required. Authorities may conduct inspections and require modifications to the planned route to accommodate the load.

5. Escort and Pilot Vehicles: Escort vehicles are mandatory, and often more than one is needed. These vehicles coordinate closely with the transport vehicle, managing traffic, and ensuring that the load can pass safely through narrow or challenging sections.

6. Infrastructure Reinforcements: In some cases, temporary reinforcements or modifications to infrastructure may be necessary to accommodate the transport.

7. Community Engagement: For particularly large or disruptive transports, operators may need to engage with local communities to inform them of the transport and any potential disruptions.

Examples of Loads:

• Extremely large industrial machinery

• Major infrastructure components like bridge sections or wind turbine blades

Driver Certification Requirements for STGO Vehicles

While a driver operating an STGO vehicle must hold a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) Class 1 licence, additional certifications and training are often required due to the complexity and risk involved in transporting abnormal loads.

1. Advanced Driver Training: This training focuses on handling heavy and oversized loads, including techniques for safe driving, manoeuvring, and load security. It also covers emergency procedures and how to deal with potential hazards on the road.

2. Escort Vehicle Training: Drivers who also operate escort vehicles require specific training on how to manage and guide STGO vehicles through complex routes, including traffic management and communication protocols.

3. Health and Safety Training: This includes comprehensive training on health and safety regulations, risk assessments, and the safe use of equipment and personal protective gear.

4. Load Securing Certification: Given the importance of safely securing abnormal loads, drivers often need certification in load securing techniques, ensuring that the cargo is transported without risk of shifting or falling.

5. Route Familiarisation: Before undertaking a transport, drivers must be familiarised with the planned route, including any specific challenges or restrictions. This might involve route surveys or dry runs to anticipate and plan for any difficulties.

Obtaining Permits and the Process

Permitting Authority: To move an abnormal load under STGO regulations, operators must obtain permits from the appropriate authorities. This typically involves contacting Highways England (or the respective authority for Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) and local highway authorities along the planned route. In addition, the police must be notified to ensure proper traffic management and safety measures are in place.

Permit Application Process: The process involves the following steps:

1. Notification: Submit a movement notification form to the relevant highway authorities and the police. This form includes details about the load, the vehicle, and the planned route.

2. Route Planning: Work with authorities to plan a suitable route, considering weight limits on bridges, road widths, and potential obstructions.

3. Safety Measures: Ensure that all necessary safety measures, such as escort vehicles and special signage, are in place.

4. Approval: Obtain approval from the authorities, which may involve several stages of review and coordination with multiple agencies.

Timeframe for Approval: The timeframe for obtaining a permit can vary significantly based on the complexity of the load and the route. For simpler Category 1 transports, approval might be granted within a few days. However, for more complex Category 2 and 3 loads, the process can take several weeks or even months. This is due to the need for detailed route surveys, bridge assessments, and potentially extensive coordination with multiple local authorities and agencies.

Summary

STGO Category 1 is for loads up to 50 tonnes, requiring fewer permits and simpler route planning. STGO Category 2 handles loads up to 80 tonnes with stricter requirements, while STGO Category 3 manages the heaviest loads up to 150 tonnes, necessitating detailed planning and multiple permits.

Each category has specific speed limits, vehicle specifications, and route requirements to ensure that these heavy transports are conducted safely and with minimal impact on public roads and infrastructure. Understanding these categories helps ensure compliance with regulations and promotes safe transportation practices.

Next time you see a massive lorry on the road carrying a huge load, you'll know that there's a lot of planning and regulation behind that journey, ensuring that everything gets to its destination safely and smoothly.